The Forrest Lady Rockets, whose season has been one of early disappointment that turned to late season success, traveled to Nolensville to take on the Lady Knights in the District 12AA title game.

Nolensville used the strength of their huge post player Zoe Piller (daughter of former Tennessee Titans offensive guard Zach Piller) and the savvy play of guard Caymin Ladd (daughter of District 12-AA Coach of the Year Chris Ladd) to take a 47-33 win and claim their third consecutive district tournament title.

“They (Nolensville) are a good team,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “Coach Ladd did some things that we had to think about on defense, but we were able to handle it toward the end of the second quarter.”

“Piller is a good player and they do a great job getting the ball to her.”

Piller led all scorers in the game with 20 points while Sarah Grubesic and Ladd added nine points apiece, Page Dickinson scored seven, and Sydney Dickinson had two points.

Allison Bunty led Forrest in scoring column with eight points Ryann Lewis scored seven, Laura Mealer had six points, and Alex Davenport, Kinslee Inlow, Megan Mealer, and Macyn Kirby all had three points apiece.

Forrest controlled the tip and as expected, Mealer took control with one of her patented drives to the basket, was fouled and promptly sank two free throws to put the Lady Rockets on the board first.

The Lady Rockets, using a 2-3 zone on defense, still struggled with the rugged Piller in the low post, who responded with an inside basket to tie the game at 2-2.

Grubsie canned a short jumper and Piller struck again as she sank a put-back off of her own missed shot.

Bunty responded with a deep 3-pointer from the left corner before Piller scored two more times, but Bunty canned another deep 3-pointer.

Grubsie scored again before the quarter ended as the Lady Knights held a four-point lead at 12-8.

The second quarter began with a 12-point Lady Knights’ run, led again by Piller, who also showed off her sharing skills as she dished off to Dickinson for an easy basket.

With the second quarter half gone, the Lady Rockets gathered themselves as they fought back with Kirby and Inlow canning deep three’s and Mealer scoring two baskets to cut into the Nolensville lead as Forrest trailed at the halftime break 24-18.

The third quarter saw Piller go to work again as she scored six points, again from down low.

The Lady Rockets could do no damage nor cut into the Lady Knights’ lead as Megan Mealer was the only scorer for Forrest as the Lady Knights led 38-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Davenport swished a 3-pointer and Bunty added a jumper for Forrest as the Lady Rockets fought in vain, but the Lady Knights easily fended off Forrest to claim the first-place trophy for District 12-AA.

Carissa Curtis, Mealer, and Kirby were named to the All-Academic Team (3.5 GPA).

Laura Mealer and Kirby were selected to the All-District Regular Season Team and Laura Mealer and Ryann Lewis were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Forrest 8 10 3 12-33

Nolensville 12 12 14 9-47

Forrest (31): Allison Bunty 8, Ryann Lewis 7, Laura Mealer 6, Alex Davenport 3, Kinslee Inlow 3, Megan Mealer 3, Macyn Kirby 3.

Three-Point Goals (7) Bunty 2, Lewis, M. Mealer, Davenport, Inlow, Kirby.

Nolensville (37): Zoe Piller 20, Sarah Grubesic 9, Caymin Ladd 9, Page Dickinson 7, Sydney Dickinson 2.

3-Point Goals (1): Ladd.